ఆలికి అన్నం పెట్టడం ఊరికి ఉపకారమా?
aliki annam pettadam uriki upakarama?
Is feeding one's own wife a favor to the village?
This proverb is used to point out that fulfilling one's basic personal or familial responsibilities is not an act of charity or a service to society. It is used when someone brags about doing something they are naturally obligated to do.
Related Phrases
తీయడం పెట్టడం తీపులచేటు, కనడం కూచోవడం నొప్పులచేటు
tiyadam pettadam tipulachetu, kanadam kuchovadam noppulachetu
Taking and putting is a waste of sweetness; giving birth and sitting is a waste of pain.
This proverb highlights that repetitive or redundant actions often lead to unnecessary exhaustion or wasted effort. It specifically suggests that doing something only to undo it immediately (like serving food and taking it back) results in losing the benefit or joy, and enduring pain for no productive outcome is futile. It is used to describe tasks that are laborious but yield no meaningful result.
ఊరికి ఉపకారముగా ఆలికి కోక కొని పెడతాను, ఇంటింటికీ డబ్బు ఇవ్వండి అన్నాడట
uriki upakaramuga aliki koka koni pedatanu, intintiki dabbu ivvandi annadata
As a public benefaction, I will buy a cloth for my wife; give me a pice from each house.
This proverb is used to describe a person who wants to fulfill their personal responsibilities or selfish desires using others' resources, while pretending that they are doing a great service to society. It mocks those who seek public funds for private gains under the guise of altruism.
ఆకారం ఉంటే శ్రీకారం ఉండదు.
akaram unte shrikaram undadu.
If there is a shape, there is no beginning (sacred start).
This proverb is used to comment on someone who has physical beauty or a grand appearance but lacks knowledge, basic skills, or a good beginning in education/character. 'Shreekaram' signifies the start of learning or auspiciousness, while 'Aakaram' refers to outward appearance.
అత్తా అత్తా అన్నం పెట్టత్తా అంటే సున్నం పెడతానే అందట.
atta atta annam pettatta ante sunnam pedatane andata.
When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
ఆలికి అన్నము పెట్టడం ఊరికి ఉపకారమా?
aliki annamu pettadam uriki upakarama?
Is feeding one's wife a benefit to the village ?
This proverb is used to criticize people who claim credit for fulfilling their basic, mandatory personal or family responsibilities as if they are doing a great service to society. It highlights that taking care of one's own household is a duty, not a public act of charity.
ఆ ఊరికి ఈ ఊరు ఎంత దూరమో, ఈ ఊరుకి ఆ ఊరు అంతే దూరం
a uriki i uru enta duramo, i uruki a uru ante duram
Just as this village is as far from that village, that village is the same distance from this village.
This proverb is used to illustrate the concept of reciprocity or mutual equality in relationships, situations, or consequences. It suggests that logic, rules, or feelings apply equally to both parties involved, and if one side claims a certain distance or effort, the same applies to the other side.
అన్నం అడిగినవాడికి సున్నం పెట్టినట్లు
annam adiginavadiki sunnam pettinatlu
Like applying lime to someone who asked for food
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.
ఉరికి ఉరికి ఊరిపిడుగు పోలిశెట్టి బుడ్డమీద పడ్డట్లు.
uriki uriki uripidugu polishetti buddamida paddatlu.
After running and running, the village thunderbolt fell right on Polisetti's bald head.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a long-feared or inevitable disaster finally strikes a specific, unfortunate target after much anticipation or wandering. It highlights a stroke of extreme bad luck where, out of all possible places or people, the calamity finds a very specific mark. It is often used to mock someone's persistent misfortune or a predictable yet sudden catastrophe.
ఆలికి అన్నంపెట్టడం ఊరికి ఉపకారమా?
aliki annampettadam uriki upakarama?
Is feeding one's own wife a service to the village?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who tries to take credit for doing their basic duty or personal responsibility as if they are doing a great favor to society. It highlights that fulfilling one's own domestic or personal obligations is not a public service.